When Ego Is A Good Thing

Photo by Andrew Medhat on Unsplash

Why are some people ready to get up on a platform (physical or digital) and share their message with the world? Why are some people not?

Why is it that some folks can overcome the (inevitable) self-doubt that tends to accompany these acts of leadership? Why is it that others cannot?

Of course, it’s a given that those who can, actually believe in their message. That the change (or understanding or awareness) they’re seeking is important.

But that isn’t enough, clearly. 

Because how many people do you know are doing compelling work but find it difficult to share the message behind it with the world? How many understand the need for what they offer but cannot bring themselves to put themselves out there? (Maybe you’re one of those people?)

The missing ingredient has to be, for lack of a better term, ego. 

A firm belief in ourselves, or at least in the idea that what we have to share is worth sharing. That our message and our story deserves to be heard by the universe (or at least the universe that’s relevant). And that we are the ones who should share it. 

There’s certainly a solid helping of bravery that’s required, as well as the sense that we deserve that place on the front line, at the pulpit, so to speak. 

And that not only should we be the ones to say it, but also that we should be heard. 

We tend to bristle at the idea of ego, though, when we consider it in ourselves and others. We’re OK with it and accept it when it’s someone established (a celebrity or businessperson or politician we admire), but less so, when it’s us or someone from our peer group. Because, well, who do we think we are?

But it’s their ego that played an essential part in their rise and their achievement, the belief that they can rise above, that they deserve to be heard. We’d do well to remember that. 

There has to be an acceptance that we can be more than what’s directly in front of us, a conviction and a sense of something bigger than ourselves. And just as much, there has to be the acceptance that we have every right to be the ones to share it. 

(H/T to the Renegades: Born In The USA podcast for the idea behind this post.)